YMCA’s Outreach Camp helping children to thrive and develop sense of community with peers

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - As the last few weeks of summer vacation approach, children begin to prepare for the upcoming school year while parents scramble to find ways to keep kids occupied right up to the last day of break. But for the kids of the YMCA’s Outreach Camp, a break is well-deserved after the last event-packed eight weeks.

The outreach camp is organized under the YMCA of South Montgomery County’s Apartment Outreach Program, which caters to families residing in public housing apartment complexes within The Woodlands area and the Tamina community. Each site has a community center available for the Apartment Outreach program to operate in, as well as for outside events and programs. These Caring Community Centers are dedicated to helping children thrive and develop a sense of community with their peers and neighbors.

The summer camp program is divided into day camp, for youth ages 5-11, and teen camp, for teenagers 12-15 years old. From Monday to Friday, both day campers and teens met with camp counselors at their respective apartment/community sites to wait for buses to take them to whatever location is scheduled for the day. Various activities include weekly Bible study at Faith Bible and Crossroads Church, field trips, group games, team sports, swimming, themed projects and recreation time at the Shadowbend, Branch Crossing, and Creekside YMCAs. Teen camp also included bi-weekly community service projects, as well as a visit to Rice University.

“This job is not like other after school jobs,” says Dylyn Lain, one of the lead camp counselors. “I have seen lots of these kids transition from day camp to teen camp … I just want the kids to know they have a safe place to come to, and they can trust the counselors/staff at the Y.”

As a lead counselor, Dylyn works with the other leads to ensure that all activities at camp run smoothly and to help resolve any camper incidents.

The summer camp program is an extension of the Apartment Outreach Afterschool Program, which provides after school care for youth of all ages residing at the apartment sites and within the Tamina community. From 3:30-6:30 in the evening, the youth are given homework assistance, snacks, and led in group games and structured recreation time. Four of the five community sites are preparing to continue the afterschool program, while the fifth and newest site, Mission Woods, is working to introduce the program into their community.

Many of the counselors see the Apartment Outreach program as a way to continue working with the kids year-round. Irene Asfour, a recent graduate of College Park High School, worked the after school program for the 2014-2015 school year, and continued working with the kids during the 2015 day camp.

“These kids have made a difference in my life, and I absolutely love working with them,” said Irene. “It can be hard, but when the kids open up to you and you get to hear their stories and know they trust you, it makes the biggest difference. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Those interested in employment with the Apartment Outreach Program can contact Youth Development Director Brody Dixon, at brody.dixon@ymcahouston.org, or check the YMCA of Greater Houston’s job listings.